South county creek makes national most endangered' list

Activists protest development in order to save Mattawoman

A view in 2008 of Mattawoman Creek, which stretches 27 miles from Brandywine through Accokeek and into Indian Head in Charles County, from the Potomac River looking south. Activists fear that overdevelopment and a proposed highway could threaten fish spawning throughout the region.

During a press conference Tuesday announcing that Mattawoman Creek in Accokeek ranked No. 4 among the nation's most endangered rivers, a coalition of local and national environmental groups came out swinging against a slew of development projects they say would further threaten the creek.

Mattawoman Creek, known for its clean water and for being a spawning ground for migratory fish, was listed among 10 waterways on an annual ranking of the country's most endangered rivers compiled by American Rivers, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization. Activists hope the publicity would go a long way in protecting one of the region's most fertile fishing grounds.

"The American Rivers designation is a great opportunity for elected officials to step forward and protect Mattawoman Creek," said Bonnie Bick, of the Sierra Club's southern Maryland group, during the announcement Tuesday in Indian Head.

"By shining the spotlight [on the creek], this report is a powerful tool for saving rivers," said Katherine Baer, senior director of American Rivers' Clean Water Program.

Activists and environmental organizations fear that a barrage of developments in southern Prince George's and Charles counties, as well as a proposed highway linking communities in Charles County, could devastate the creek, which is home to the largest bass fishery tributary on the east coast, according to the Mattawoman Watershed Society.

"Death by a thousand cuts — that's what is going to kill the Chesapeake Bay and all its rivers unless we do something," said Will Baker, president of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Mattawoman Creek stretches 27 miles from Brandywine through Accokeek and into Indian Head in Charles County. It remains one of the cleanest water sources in the Chesapeake Bay and is Maryland's most productive spawning grounds for migratory fish, according to the Mattawoman Watershed Society.

"You cannot save the bay without saving its tributaries," said Jim Long, the society's coordinator.

Though Mattawoman is still clean, looks can be deceiving, according to Bick, who said an increase of impervious surfaces such as paved roads in Accokeek and Brandywine contributes to water run off into the creek.

"The creek is at the tipping point. If it gets more development in its watershed, [Mattawoman] can become a restoration project instead of a preservation project," she said.

Concerns that the creek is in danger are even greater in communities south of Accokeek in Charles County, where a proposed highway called the Cross County Connector would cut through as much as seven acres of the creek. The $70 million highway would also bring 8,000 homes as it stretches from Waldorf to Bryans Road just south of Accokeek along Route 210/Indian Head Highway.

"Human action created this crisis, and it will take human action — smart human action to turn it around," said Vivian Mills, president of the Charles County Conservancy.

The Maryland Department of the Environment will decide by June 1 whether to approve permits needed for the Cross County Connector.